Calendar of events: Dec. 16-Dec. 23

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Toddler Tales, Concord Public Library, 45 Green St. Program is designed for 2- to 3½-year-olds and their caregivers. 225-8670, onconcord.com/library. 10 a.m.

Downtown Parking Committee, 41 Green St. A meeting is held in the second-floor conference room. 4:30 p.m.

"Pay as you Throw" Informational Meeting, West Street Ward House, 41 West St. City councilor Keith Nyhan is holding an informational evening to answer questions Ward 7 residents may have regarding the proposed "pay as you throw" solid waste advisory committee program. 6 p.m.

A college financial aid night, Merrimack Valley High School, Penacook. For high school juniors and their parents . 753-4311. 6:30 p.m.

Mike Morris, Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave. 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com. 6:30 p.m.

A holiday sing, Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall Street. 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org. 7 p.m.

Community Sing led by Peggo Horstmann Hodes, Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. A sing-a-long featuring holiday and seasonal favorites. $10 at the door. 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org. 7 p.m.

NHTI Athletics Fundraiser, The Manchester Mill Rats vs. The Quebec Kebs. $5, $2 students. nhti.edu. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Concord Rec Senior Program, IBEW Building, 48 Airport Road Winter hours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 10 a.m.

Family Storytime, Concord Public Library, 45 Green Street Held in the Children's Room. All ages are welcome. 225-8670, onconcord.com/library. 10 a.m.

Little Explorers, Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, 2 Institute Drive $5. 271-7831, starhop.com. 10 a.m.

Horseshoe Pond Toastmasters, Northeast Delta Dental, 2 Delta Drive. noon

Kick-off for the Capital Region Food Program's Holiday Food Basket Project, New Hampshire National Guard State Armory, 30 Pembroke Road. The 2008 holiday food basket project begins with a short blessing of the boxes ceremony. Gov. Lynch and Mayor Bouley will attend and Pastor Patricia DuBois will give a blessing. 228-1655. noon

Texas Hold-Em, Makris Lobster House, 354 Sheep Davis Road. 225-7665, eatalobster.com. 4 p.m.

Andy Green, Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave. 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com. 6:30 p.m.

Energy and Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting, Rath, Young and Pignatelli, 1 Capitol Plaza. 7 p.m.

Planning Board Meeting, City Council Chambers, 37 Green St. 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Chocolate Dipping workshop, Kaleidoscope Children's Museum, 8 S. Main St. Dip lots of yummy treats in chocolate for holiday gifts. Preregistration is required. $20. 229-4526. 11 a.m.

Texas Hold-Em, Makris Lobster House, 354 Sheep Davis Road. 225-7665, eatalobster.com. 4 p.m.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting, 311 N. State St. 4:15 p.m.

The Karner Blue Toastmasters, Health and Human Services, 29 Hazen Drive. Guests and new members welcome. 4:45 p.m.

Transportation Policy Advisory Committee Meeting, City Council Chambers, 37 Green St. 6 p.m.

Joe Gattuso, Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave. 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com. 6:30 p.m.

Choral Concert, Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. Free. 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org. 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19

Concord Rec Senior Program, IBEW Building, 48 Airport Road. Winter hours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 10 a.m.

Gingerbread houses, Kaleidoscope Children's Museum, 8 S. Main St. A workshop where you can decorate your own gingerbread house. The house comes preassembled, but you do all the decorating! Preregistration is required. $25. 229-4526. 10 a.m.

New Hampshire Wildlife Homeschool Series, Silk Farm Audubon Center, 3 Silk Farm Road. Classes are appropriate for ages 7-12. "The Ways of Fish." $9 members, $12 nonmembers, $4 for participating siblings who are not 7-12 years-old. 224-9909, nhaudubon.org/sanctuaries/silkfarm.htm. 10 a.m.

Piano Department Recital: "Integrated Arts," Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. The music school's piano students perform in a department recital. Free. 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org. 7 p.m.

Super Stellar Friday, Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, 2 Institute Drive. "Nuclear-Powered Cars to Spaceships." $8, $5 children ages 3-12, $7 students. 271-7831, starhop.com. 7 p.m.

The Nutcracker, Capitol Center For the Arts, 44 South Main St. The St. Paul's School Ballet Company performs this Christmas classic. $12.50 members, $16.50 nonmembers. 225-1111, ccanh.com. 7 p.m.

Dirt Road Band, Makris Lobster House, 354 Sheep Davis Road. 225-7665, http://www.eatalobster.com [1]. 8:30 p.m.

Stray Dog, Pit Road Lounge, 388 Loudon Road. 226-0533. 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Art Show and Family Craft Fair, 274 Sheep Davis Road. Visitors are welcome from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Some of the featured items include: hand bound blank books, beaded jewelry, oil paintings and hand-made shoes. 225-5447. 10 a.m.

"Christmas for Kids," South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant St. This event is held from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and allows parents a chance to get their Christmas shopping done and is also an opportunity for children to celebrate the season. $17 per child. 224-2521, sochurch.org. 11 a.m.

Visions of Peace, Unitarian Universalist Church, 274 Pleasant St. A statewide community art project is on display noon-8 p.m. Light refreshments are served. 224-0291, concorduu.org. noon.

The Nutcracker Suite, Concord City Auditorium, Prince St. Directed by Jennifer Rienert and performed by the New Hampshire School of Ballet. $13. 228-2793, concordcityauditorium.org. 1 p.m.

The Nutcracker, Capitol Center For the Arts, 44 South Main St. The St. Paul's School Ballet Company performs this Christmas classic. $12.50 members, $16.50 nonmembers. 225-1111, ccanh.com. 2 p.m.

"The Dickens Carolers," Concordia Lutheran Church, 211 North Main St. Presented by All Saints Anglican Church. Free. 7 p.m.

The Nutcracker, Capitol Center For the Arts, 44 South Main S. The St. Paul's School Ballet Company performs this Christmas classic. $12.50 members, $16.50 nonmembers. 225-1111, ccanh.com. 7 p.m.

Contra Dance, East Concord Community Center, 18 Eastman St. $6, $5 students, free for children under 13. 225-4917. 8 p.m.

Hunk and the Goldens, Pit Road Lounge, 388 Loudon Road. 226-0533. 9 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21

NFL Party, Makris Lobster House, 354 Sheep Davis Road. 225-7665, eatalobster.com. 11 a.m.

Winter Solstice Celebration: "Longing for the Light," Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, 2 Institute Drive. An interfaith celebration led by the Rev. Terry Donovan is held in the dome room. A reception is followed with food and music. 271-7831. 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22

Concord Rec Senior Program, IBEW Building, 48 Airport Road. Winter hours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 10 a.m.

Eric Chase, Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave. 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com. 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Paul Silverman, Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave.. 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com. 6:30 p.m.